Ex-S. Korean leader 'kills himself'
- 00:02:09
- ITN
Ex-S. Korean leader 'kills himself'
South Korea's former President Roh Moo-hyun has died while hiking, a top aide has said. Local reports have said he appears to have jumped to his death in the mountains near his home, quoting a note left by Mr Roh which seems to confirm his intention to commit suicide. The likelihood of taking his own life could boost public sympathy for opponents of his conservative successor President Lee Myung-bak, whose hard-line policies have largely overturned the more accommodating approach of Mr Roh in key areas such as dealings with North Korea. Moon Jae-in, who was Mr Roh's presidential chief of staff, said: "Former President Roh left his house at 5:45am and while hiking on the Ponghwa Mountain, appears to have jumped off a rock at around 6:40am." The 62-year-old former human rights lawyer, whose five-year term ended in February 2008, had in recent weeks become embroiled in alleged corruption, the result of confessions by a wealthy shoe manufacturer that he had bribed dozens of officials and politicians, as well as Mr Roh's wife when she was First Lady. President Lee said: "This is a truly unbelievable, lamentable and deeply sad event." An official with the Busan University Hospital said that the ex-leader had died from massive head injuries. South Gyeongsang police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Roh's death.
ITN | May 23, 2009
